Wrath's Virtue

"To challenge a Silverfang is different from felling a bear, elf," Fendrel said.

His voice was regaining its composure. "This is not a matter of muscle, but of status."

"So you'll refuse by using that as an excuse?" Aurelion pressed.

"You'll try to hide behind the status you think you have? Do you think that will work?"

"It will work, elf," Fendrel said coolly.

"Because, while I don't speak for the other clans, I am not the one who should answer a challenge for the Silverfang clan."

Just as he spoke, Aurelion heard footsteps approaching from behind and turned his head.

He saw Ylva Silverfang arriving. She walked past Aurelion and stood between him and Fendrel.

"Welcome, cousin," Fendrel said with a smile.

"We were just talking about you."

Ylva gave Fendrel a brief nod before turning to face Aurelion. "Elf. The one who will be your rival from the Silverfang clan is me. And if you are to challenge anyone from the Silverfang clan, your business is with me too."

Aurelion looked at Ylva with amusement, then scanned Fendrel from head to toe. "Are you sure? Your cousin looks stronger than you, Ylva. If I were to challenge the Silverfang clan now, you would be the one to accept?"

"Yes,"

"You will lose,"

"Most likely," she replied without hesitation.

"Your clan's honor will be damaged."

"No," Ylva said.

"Oh?"

"Yes," she confirmed then gestured toward where Erik was being helped to his feet.

"Even if I lose, I will not be writhing on the ground like he is."

"But you will still lose," Aurelion pressed.

"What could you do if I challenged the Silverfang clan again and again? What could you do but suffer and lose every single time?"

Ylva stepped closer to Aurelion, her eyes locked on his. "I will accept every challenge you make to a member of the Silverfang clan. I will do my best, even if I am to lose, and I will fight until the very last moment. Clan leader gave me this mission to protect the clan's honor. And when the right time comes, I will be the one to challenge you. And I will defeat you, elf."

Aurelion studied Ylva for a long moment, then he turned to the other children in the courtyard.

"Only those who has balls like this girl should challenge me," he announced.

"Otherwise, I will make you even worse than that pig over there."

Ylva's face, which had been set with determination, instantly turned a deep shade of crimson.

In front of the entire college, this arrogant elf had used the crudest possible term to describe her, and the sudden, hot wave of anger was overwhelming. Her fists clenched at her sides.

Aurelion gave her one last smirk before looking at the guard.

The guard, who had watched the entire exchange, gave a single nod of approval.

Aurelion and the guard started walking again and pushed through the crowd.

As Aurelion and the guard walked, three figures approached.

Aurelion stopped, recognizing them instantly. Elara, Kael, and Lyra. He took a moment to observe them, noting the clan symbols on their attire. A white frost sigil for Elara, the familiar bear claw of the Ursine for Kael, and the Dual axe of the Frozen Axe clan for Lyra.

Kael was broader than he remembered, Elara was taller, and Lyra seemed more vibrant.

"What now?" the guard muttered, turning around.

Elara stepped forward and addressed the guard. "We're his friends."

The guard looked at Aurelion.

"Is it?" he asked.

"You could say that," Aurelion replied.

The guard's direction immediately changed.

"Then you three can take this elf to the newcomers' quarters," he said, clearly relieved to be rid of the troublemaker.

He turned and walked away without another word.

Elara opened her mouth to speak, but Aurelion spoke first. "Lyra."

Lyra's fox ears twitched. "Wh-what is it? Spit it out."

"While I was challenging Erik, someone was shouting. Did you hear that, too?"

A small smirk appeared on Kael's face.

Lyra was speechless for a moment, then she flushed. "Ahh! I know you heard me! Stop teasing me."

She pointed an accusatory finger at him. "You're still as annoying as ever. You haven't changed at all!"

Aurelion just smirked and turned to the other two.

"It's been a long time. How are you, Aurelion?" Kael asked.

"He seems more active than before," Aurelion thought. "Being in a different clan from Lyra might have had an effect."

"I'm good, Kael. And it seems you are too. The Ursine clan appears to have taken good care of you."

"You angered the Clan Leader, Urson," Kael said with a shrug.

"But thanks to that, my training has gotten stricter."

"Did they give you the task of challenging me too?" Aurelion asked.

"Not specifically," Kael replied.

"They just offered a reward to whoever defeats you."

"I see," Aurelion said.

His gaze then shifting to the smiling forest elf. He looked at Elara, who was watching him with a serene expression.

"She's the one who has changed the most," he thought.

"There was a bloody fight right in front of her, but she didn't even blink, and the smile never left her face. Morwenna… has done something to this girl."

Out loud, Aurelion simply said, "You've gotten taller."

"You too," Elara replied.

Her smile then faded as her eyes focused on his scarred one, a look of sadness appearing. "I had heard about this, but… how did it happen, Aurelion? Have you sought treatment? Maybe I can arrange for-"

"No need," Aurelion cut her off.

"This eye is my mistake, and I will be the one to fix it."

"I understand," Elara said softly. A brief, awkward silence fell between them.

"Should we take you to your quarters, Aurelion?" Kael asked, breaking the silence.

Aurelion gave the boy an appreciative internal nod. "Yes. Let's go," he said, and they began to walk.

After a walk through the vast courtyard, they arrived at a large, three story building.

Around and inside the building were some of the children who had been with him during the tests. He recognized a few of them.

When they arrived, the three of them stopped.

"Aurelion," Lyra said, "this is where the newcomers, the first years, stay. There are staff members inside who will get you a room, and tomorrow they'll announce which classes you'll be in."

"We're not allowed in here," Kael added. "It's forbidden to enter the dormitories of others."

"Alright, then you guys go. I'll find you later," Aurelion said.

"We can wait for you here, Aurelion," Elara offered. "After you've settled in, we can show you around."

"No need. I have things to do," Aurelion said, leaving the three of them behind.

"We waited all day for him, and look at what he does," Lyra grumbled.

"He's always been like this, Lyra, and he might want to be alone," Kael said.

"As he said, he'll find us later." He turned to leave.

Elara watched Aurelion's back for a moment longer before she, too, followed the other two.

Aurelion entered the building and saw a large hall. As some of the other children milled about, a Northern woman, approached him.

"You must be Aurelion. Your other friends have already settled in. Come, I'll show you your room," she said.

Aurelion nodded and followed the woman. They climbed the stairs at the back of the hall and arrived at the top floor.

As they walked, the woman explained, "The second and third floors have the dormitories. The first floor has the dining hall and rooms where you can sit and spend time with your friends."

"Is that all?" Aurelion asked.

The woman looked at him. "This is just the dormitory, kid. There are additional buildings for training, equipment maintenance, a library, and so on. The college will be introduced to you tomorrow, and then you'll learn the locations of the other buildings where you can take care of your needs."

"I see," Aurelion said.

They arrived at the corner room on the third floor. "This is your room."

Aurelion stepped inside and it was, surprisingly, a spacious and clean single room. There was even a small bathroom inside.

Aurelion was slightly surprised by this and appreciated it.

The woman stood at the door. "If you have any problems, you can let us know. And don't do anything to disturb the others here, alright?"

"I have no business with others," Aurelion said.

The woman sighed softly at his cold reply. "Good. An hour before breakfast in the morning..."

She pointed to a blue energy stone on the nightstand next to the bed. "This alarm stone will chime. Don't be late for breakfast, alright?"

"I won't be late," Aurelion said.

"I can handle the rest myself."

The woman smiled faintly. From a pocket, she produced a simple iron key with a small, glowing blue rune etched into its head.

"This is for your door," she said, placing it in his hand.

"Try not to lose it."

She gave him one last look. " And rest well."

She turned and left, and Aurelion closed the door behind her.

He dropped his baggage in front of the wardrobe, walked to the window to look out at the dark courtyard for a moment, then pulled the heavy curtains shut.

He returned to the door and turned the new key in the lock. The rune on the key flared with a soft blue light as the lock clicked shut. Finally, he turned off the energy lamps.

As the room was plunged into darkness, he sat cross legged on his bed.

"Let's try again," he murmured.